Josey, reportedly valued at $1,100, was reunited with his owner after being rescued by a woman who said she was visiting friends in Portland, according to Gresham Police.

The woman, who police identified only as Shelly at her request, said she was driving in the area of Southeast 166th Avenue and Division Street about 12:30 a.m. Thursday when she saw a man pushing a shopping cart on a sidewalk with a large bird cage perched on top. The cage contained a bird.

Shelly told police she stopped to talk to the man, and he told her someone had given him the bird. She said he also told her that he was going to keep the cage but release the bird to the wild.

As they talked, Shelly said, the cage fell out of the cart and the man ran away. She said she and her friend took the bird and cage home for the night, then brought both to the Gresham Police Department at 8:45 a.m. Thursday. That's when she learned that the bird was Josey, the parakeet who was taken from his home in the 15100 block of East Burnside sometime midday Tuesday.

Josey appeared hungry, despite several candy bar wrappers in the bottom of his cage, so Deputy Chief Dale Cummins of the Gresham police donated some money for bird food. Josey immediately ate and was reunited with his owner later Thursday morning.

Anyone with additional information about the case may call the Gresham Police or Portland Police. The Gresham Police tip line is 503-618-2719 (local) or 1-888-989-3505 (out of area). The Portland police non-emergency line at 503-823-3333. Tips may also be emailed to CrimeTips@PortlandOregon.gov.